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Completed

NCT Number: NCT05123105

Effect of Dry Cupping and Ischemic Compression on the Trigger Point on the Upper Trapezius Muscle

Ischemic compression is considered the fastest and most common method for providing relief in trigger point therapy, whereas cupping therapy is not a method often used for this purpose. The muscle that has a great impact on tension-type headaches and neck pain is the trapezius, whose upper fibres are where the most common trigger point in the back is located.

The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of single ischemic compression and single dry cupping therapy on the most common trigger point, on the descending part of the trapezius muscle.

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Key information

Conditions

Trigger Point Pain, Myofascial Muscular Diseases Musculoskeletal Diseases Myofascial Pain Syndromes

Age range

18 year–30 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Józef Piłsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw

Warsaw, Masovian Voivodeship, 00-968, Poland

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • age 18-30
  • student of The Józef Piłsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw
  • written consent to participate in the study

Exclusion criteria

  • past or current injury to the trapezius.
  • past or current injury of the cervical spine limiting mobility of this segment.
  • broken skin at the examination site.
  • cardiological disease and use of blood pressure medication, histamine medication and analgesics
  • elevated body temperature, illness symptoms and a period of convalescence.
  • a missed anti-Covid procedure before each examination.
  • inability to find trigger points.

Treatment and study plan

1) cupping therapy

Other

The participant lay on his front on a couch. The examiner applied a plastic cup on a pre-marked trigger point, suctioned it with a mechanical pump and left it for 2 minutes. This was a stationary application with medium suction force. Therapy was performed on both sides. Measurements were taken before and 2 minutes after the therapy.

2) control test (no intervention)

Other

The participant lay on his front on a couch for 4 minutes without any activity and without anyy intervention. Measurements were taken before and after the session.

3) ischemic compression

Other

The participant lay on his front on a couch. The researcher applied pressure to a pre-marked trigger point using the thumb for 2 minutes until tissue resistance was felt. This included 60-second compression and after a break of a few seconds, another 60 seconds of compression. Therapies were performed on each side. Measurements were taken before and 2 minutes after the therapy.

Primary outcomes

  1. Pain pressure threshold test (PPT)

    Time frame: changes from baseline in pain pressure threshold at 2 minutes after the session

    The trigger points of the upper section of the trapezius on the right and left sides were determined by palpation and were also indicated using a marker. A Wagner FDX 50 Force Gage algometer was applied to the trigger point. The pressure force was increased by 1kg/cm2/s until the patient felt pain, which was the pain pressure threshold (PPT) measured in kg/cm2. The test was performed on both sides. The test was performed twice on each side - before and 2 minutes after the session.

  2. Cervical spine mobility test

    Time frame: changes from baseline in cervical spine mobility at 2 minutes after the session

    Each examination began in a sitting position with a cervical spine mobility test. The following bone points were marked on the participants' skin using a marker: spinous process of the 7th cervical vertebra, external occipital protuberance, the top of the chin, the jugular notch of the sternum, the mastoid of the temporal bone, and the acromion process of the scapula. Next, a linear measurement of the range of motion was performed using a tape measure to ascertain the distance between the marked points in the initial position and after the active movement for flexion (forward bending), extension (backward bending), lateral bending and rotation to both sides, respectively. The mobility was determined by the difference of the two measurements. The test for each movement (i.e. flexion (forward flexion), extension (backward flexion), lateral flexion and both sides rotation) was performed twice - before and 2 minutes after the session.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Height

    Time frame: Measurements were taken before the first session

    Height measured in meters

  2. Weight

    Time frame: Measurements were taken before the first session

    Weight measured in kilograms

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Józef Piłsudski University of Physical Education

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2021
Primary completion
2021
Study completion
2021
First posted
Nov 17, 2021
Registry last updated
Nov 17, 2021

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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